The Utah Jazz are the latest team to move from an RSN to over-the-air TV. Plus: Shannon Sharpe is rumored to be heading to FanDuel TV, plus news on J.J. Watt‘s potential broadcasting future.
Utah Jazz join Sinclair, ditch RSN for next season
The Utah Jazz will no longer broadcast games on AT&T SportsNet after announcing a deal with Sinclair owned KJZZ, a local over-the-air station. In addition, the team will launch a direct-to-consumer service for fans to access games through streaming.
The AT&T SportsNets RSNs, owned by Warner Bros Discovery, are going dark following the conclusion of the MLB season.
Game production and shoulder programming will be done under a new company, SEG Media, owned and operated by the franchise. The Jazz previously handled production of their game broadcasts for AT&T SportsNet under the previous agreement.
The Jazz join the NHL Golden Knights in moving games from an RSN to an over-the-air partner for the coming season. The NBA Suns also reached deals with an over-the-air partner for next season, but that was voided by a bankruptcy judge (the WNBA Mercury, who were also part of the deal, were allowed to go through with the agreement). (SBJ 6.20)
Shannon Sharpe in talks with FanDuel
Former FS1 Undisputed host Shannon Sharpe is reportedly in talks to join FanDuel TV.
Sharpe said on social media on Monday that he would be back on morning television “soon.” Last week, ESPN First Take host Stephen A. Smith indicated that he would be open to Sharpe joining a group of rotating panelists on the morning debate show.
FanDuel TV has made a number of content plays recently, signing former Good Morning Football host Kay Adams, former ESPN anchor Michelle Beadle, and agreeing to a partnership with The Ringer to broadcast a number of podcasts on the platform.
Sharpe currently hosts a popular podcast called “Club Shay Shay.” According to a source cited by Front Office Sports, Sharpe “does not want to sit out the football season.” (FOS 6.20)
CBS the favorite for Watt; Schrager re-ups with FOX
Former NFL defensive end J.J. Watt is being courted by several networks, per the New York Post. The report names CBS as the favorite to land his services. No matter where Watt ends up he will not take on a full schedule, which means there is not truly a deadline for a deal to get done.
Other networks in consideration are NBC and NFL Network.
In other NFL broadcasting news, the Post also reported that Peter Schrager will stay on with FOX for his Sunday pregame duties. Schrager also hosts the daily NFL morning show Good Morning Football. (NYP 6.19)
